In this Issue: A Note from the Director | Welcome, Laura Mehlhaff | Registration Opens on August 4 | Newly Added Lecture | Registration Tips | Fall Semester Q & A | First Friday Astronomy Lecture | Yanke Building Closed

Dear Osher members,

As we approach a new semester of programs, the awareness of all of the changes settles in. We have a new delivery method of lifelong learning programs and our normal way of engaging with each other has been significantly impacted. Throughout all of the change, one consistent goal of the Osher Institute team is to create the most positive experience and outcomes for each of you. I hope that you are feeling positive about the future and that you will join us for this new journey of learning this fall.

One way we hope to support your new learning experience is to provide sample webinars in the next few weeks. As we pivot to using Zoom Webinar for online offerings, these sample webinars are a great opportunity to try the new format, ask questions, and hone your online skills! Experience how to join a class session, see what your screen will look like, practice submitting questions with the chat box and Q & A feature, and preview the new reminder emails. These sample webinars will be hosted by the Osher staff and are scheduled for a variety of dates and times. Click here to register for a sample webinar. You only need to sign up for one session, but you are welcome to attend a second session if you wish.

As members of the Osher Institute, we’ve added some more value to your membership. This fall, we will announce additional special offerings that are open only to current members and carry no additional cost. First up, Dr. David Adler has just agreed to present a lecture on the 100th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment. Read the "Newly Added Lecture" section below for more details.

If you have not yet renewed your 2020-2021 membership, we hope you will do so next week and that you also take time to peruse the fall offerings. Remember there are no waitlists in our online offerings. I hope you select some great programs to enjoy this fall!

Stay healthy, remain engaged, and keep in touch. I can’t stress how much you are missed, but we are looking forward to a day when we can see you in person again!

Warm regards,

Dana

Dana Thorp Patterson, Director

Laura Mehlhaff, born and raised in Boise, Idaho, worked in film and content creation for over fifteen years. Her work includes award-winning films such as Frozen River, which was nominated for two Academy Awards and won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Laura’s films have been showcased around the world, including marquee festivals like the Sundance Film Festival, SxSW, Tribeca Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival. Mehlhaff has produced work for Showtime, ESPN, Wall Street Journal’s Custom Studios, and more.

Online registration opens the morning of August 4. To register online, visit the Osher Registration Website. Online is the preferred method of registration.

The ratification of the 19th Amendment—the right to vote for American women—marked the achievement of a long-sought goal in their march toward gender equality and represented one more step in the nation’s quest for democracy. Dr. David Adler tells the story of the path to this historical landmark which was littered with noble ideals, stirring speeches, and great sacrifices in the shadow of political corruption, sexism, selfishness, and double-dealing.

Presenter: Dr. David Adler, President, Alturas Institute

Date and time: Tue., Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-noon

Cost: Included with membership

Registration for this offering opens on Tuesday, August 4, on the Osher Registration Website. Both livestream and recorded options will be available.

If you submitted a paper registration form and would like to add this lecture, please register on the Osher Registration Website or call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709 when phone registration opens on Wednesday, August 5.

If you already have an Osher account, you do not need to create a new one. Please log in with your existing email and password. If you have forgotten your password, please call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709 or select "forgot password" to receive an email to reset your password.

To become familiar with the Osher Registration Website, we recommend purchasing your membership in advance of registration opening. This gives you the opportunity to log in to your account, verify that you have the correct password, and practice using the website.

We highly recommend registering on your desktop or laptop computer. Avoid using your smartphone or tablet to register as the registration website may become distorted. This may make it difficult to see the list of offerings and access the payment portal.

Make sure to have your credit card ready. Master Card, Discover, and Visa credit cards are accepted. The online payment portal is time-sensitive and will time out if it is inactive for too long.

Need technical support? Call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709. You may be put in a queue, but stay on the line! Hanging up and re-dialing will put you at the end of the queue, further delaying your access to support.

We have received some great questions from members regarding registration, online offerings, course fees, and spring semester refunds. Written below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you would like more information, please contact the Osher office at (208) 426-6554 or osher@boisestate.edu.

Q: Will I be put on a waitlist this semester?

A: Online offerings have unlimited class capacity and do not have waitlists! Please note: Registration for livestream offerings closes 7 days prior to the offering start date. Recorded offerings do not have a registration deadline.

Q: My partner and I are interested in registering for the same fee-based courses. Do both of us have to pay the course fee if we're going to watch it together?

A: Osher Institute members residing in the same household only need one person to register and pay for livestream or recorded offering they wish to watch together. We just ask that anyone viewing the materials be a current Osher Institute member. 

A: No need to register for both! Members who registered for the livestream offering will also receive a link to the recording when it is available.

A: Right now, we have an estimated turnaround time of 30 days. Osher Institute staff will edit and caption the recording to make it accessible before sending it to registered members. As we progress through the semester, this turnaround time may be reduced.

Q: How much is The Great Courses Plus discount?

A: Typically, The Great Courses Plus charges $10 per month, adding up to $120 per year. Through our partnership, Osher Institute members can purchase their own account, valid until July 31, 2021, for only $35. No additional purchases need to be made to view content on The Great Courses Plus.

A: We will not issue new parking permits for the fall semester. Since the Yanke building is closed to the public and we are not permitted to hold in-person offerings, we decided to forgo purchasing new permits.

A: Refunds for fee-based courses canceled after March 11 were processed between March 27 and April 7. If you paid for the spring semester with a credit card, each refunded course should have appeared on your account as a separate transaction under "BSU UPAY COMBINED BOISE ID." If you paid with a check, you should have received a single check in the mail before the end of April. Membership fees are non-refundable. For questions about refunds, please contact Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

The Department of Physics at Boise State University invites you to join them for an online First Friday Astronomy Lecture. Dr. Paul Verhage of the Treasure Valley Math and Science Center will present, "Sub-Orbital Ballooning Experiments and Education." Learn more about Dr. Verhage and his projects at nearsys.com.

This event will take place on Friday, August 7, at 8:30 p.m. Click this link to join the livestream: http://www.astrojack.com/ffa-ballooning. Participants will be able to ask questions in the chat feature once the livestream begins.

The Yanke building is closed to the public until further notice. Members may visit the Yanke building and Osher Institute office on an appointment-only basis. You will be required to sign-in for contact tracing and wear a facial covering while in the building. To request an appointment, contact the Osher office at (208) 426-6554 or osher@boisestate.edu.

Website: boisestate.edu/osher

Chair: Merilee Marsh | Past Chair: Ben Simko | Cindy Anson | Ralph Bild | Russ Centanni

Director: Dana Thorp Patterson | Program Coordinator: Laura Mehlhaff

Assistant Program Coordinator: Holly Goldgrabe | Administrative Assistant: Jeremy Trent